John 10 12

John 10:12 kjv

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

John 10:12 nkjv

But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.

John 10:12 niv

The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.

John 10:12 esv

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

John 10:12 nlt

A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.

John 10 verses

John 10 12 Meaning

John 10:12 describes the stark difference between a hired hand and the true shepherd, Jesus Christ. It portrays the hired hand as someone primarily motivated by wages rather than genuine care or ownership of the sheep. When danger, specifically a wolf, approaches, the hired hand abandons the flock out of self-preservation. This dereliction of duty leads to the immediate harm and scattering of the sheep by the predator. The verse thus illustrates the profound spiritual consequences of leadership lacking sacrificial love and true ownership, contrasting it implicitly with the dedicated care of the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

John 10 12 Context

John 10:12 is an integral part of Jesus' discourse on the Good Shepherd, delivered after He healed the man born blind in John 9. The Pharisees, claiming spiritual authority, had cast out the healed man, demonstrating their spiritual blindness and their failure as true shepherds of Israel. Jesus uses this agrarian metaphor to highlight the crucial difference between His sacrificial leadership and the self-serving, exploitative, and ultimately harmful leadership of many contemporary Jewish religious authorities. Historically, shepherding was a fundamental part of Israelite life, making the imagery deeply relatable. The sheep were valuable assets, vulnerable to predators and requiring constant, diligent care, highlighting the immense responsibility of a true shepherd. The contrast implicitly critiques the mercenary nature and spiritual neglect of leaders who sought personal gain or status over the well-being and protection of God's people.

John 10 12 Word analysis

• The hired hand (Greek: μισθωτός - misthōtos): Refers to someone employed for wages, indicating a contractual relationship rather than a relational one of genuine ownership or care. Their loyalty is to their pay, not the flock itself. This person lacks inherent personal investment in the sheep's welfare.

• who is not the shepherd (Greek: οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ποιμήν - ouk estin ho poimēn): This phrase explicitly clarifies the crucial distinction. A "shepherd" (ποιμήν - poimēn) intrinsically embodies care, protection, and leadership, an identity lacking in the misthōtos.

• and does not own the sheep (Greek: καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ τὰ πρόβατα ἴδια - kai ouk estin autō ta probata idia): Reinforces the lack of personal stake. The sheep are not "his own" (idia). This absence of personal property or attachment removes the intrinsic motivation to defend and sacrifice, as there is no ultimate loss to them if the sheep are harmed.

• sees the wolf coming (Greek: θεωρεῖ τὸν λύκον ἐρχόμενον - theōrei ton lykon erchomenon): Indicates awareness of the impending danger. The threat (the wolf, representing spiritual dangers, false teachings, persecution, or those who seek to destroy the flock) is recognized, not unseen or unknown. Theōreō implies observing or contemplating.

• and leaves the sheep (Greek: καὶ ἀφίησιν τὰ πρόβατα - kai aphiēsin ta probata): An act of abandonment, an intentional relinquishing of responsibility. Aphiēsin means to let go, forsake, or abandon, indicating a deliberate desertion in the face of crisis.

• and flees (Greek: καὶ φεύγει - kai pheugei): Emphasizes self-preservation. The natural reaction of one without deep commitment is to prioritize personal safety over the safety of the flock.

• and the wolf snatches them (Greek: καὶ ἁρπάζει ὁ λύκος αὐτά - kai harpazei ho lykos auta): The immediate and violent consequence of the hired hand's abandonment. Harpazei implies seizing or snatching away forcefully, indicating the destructive power of the spiritual enemy when the flock is unprotected.

• and scatters them (Greek: καὶ σκορπίζει - kai skorpizei): The further devastating effect of the attack. Scattering makes individual sheep even more vulnerable to predation and disorientation, destroying the unity and safety of the flock.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep": This phrase comprehensively defines the character of the uncaring leader. Their motivation is economic (hired hand), their identity is not true care (not the shepherd), and they lack personal vested interest (does not own the sheep), all leading to an inability to provide genuine protection.
  • "sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees": This sequence illustrates the typical reaction of such a leader in crisis. Awareness of danger is followed by a deliberate act of dereliction (leaving) and then self-preserving escape (fleeing), abandoning those under their charge.
  • "and the wolf snatches them and scatters them": This highlights the inevitable and destructive outcome for the flock when spiritual oversight is neglected. The twin actions of "snatching" (direct harm/destruction) and "scattering" (disorientation, loss, further vulnerability) powerfully convey the total impact of unfaithful leadership.

John 10 12 Bonus section

The "wolf" in this context is a recurring biblical symbol for those who seek to harm or mislead God's people, whether they are false prophets operating subtly within the church (Mt 7:15) or external persecutors (Lk 10:3). The abandonment by the hired hand leads to both harm (snatching) and disunity (scattering) among the flock. This signifies how dereliction of spiritual duty can result in individuals being lost to false doctrine or succumbing to spiritual despair, and the broader community suffering fragmentation. This verse serves as a crucial criterion for assessing spiritual leadership: genuine shepherds remain to protect and nourish, even at personal cost, while false ones retreat when danger arises. It reinforces that the ultimate security of God's people rests not in fallible human leaders, but solely in the perfect and enduring care of the True Shepherd.

John 10 12 Commentary

John 10:12 provides a sharp contrast between genuine leadership and self-serving indifference within the spiritual realm. The hired hand represents anyone in a position of spiritual oversight who lacks a true heart for God's people, viewing their service as a mere job rather than a sacred stewardship rooted in love. Such individuals, when faced with spiritual threats (symbolized by the wolf, representing false teachers, persecutors, or spiritual attacks), will prioritize their own comfort or safety over the welfare of the flock. Their lack of "ownership" or deep connection means they have no personal stake in the sheep's survival. The tragic result is that the flock is ravaged and dispersed, underscoring the vital importance of leaders with true sacrificial love and commitment, characteristics perfectly embodied by Jesus, the Good Shepherd. The verse implicitly challenges followers to discern their leaders' motivations and emphasizes the immense spiritual danger of mercenary spiritual guidance.